Welcome to my world of craft!

This pattern replaced the 3 hour slouchy cardigan from the GBSB book in my make nine line up due to buying VERY expensive fabric and the original pattern not having great reviews on how it was drafted.

I bought this mohair/wool/ polyester mix fabric from Hanson’s last month during the Dorset meet up. It was £22 a metre, which is a lot compared to my normal fabricland prices but was too beautiful not to buy and it was 20% off!

My first challenge was whether or not I could wash my fabric without it shrinking as I wanted a daily cardigan and not a dry clean only coat.

Luckily with wool washing liquid and a wool cycle my test samples came out the same size (thanks to Instagram buddies for their advice 😊).

I cut out all my pieces and sewed the body and sleeves together. This was a super easy make, all completed on my overlocker and no fitting issues as it’s designed to be oversized and slouchy.

I tried it on at this stage and decided it would be too itchy without a lining so popped down to my local fabricland for some cotton fabric.

I only bought a metre of this fabric which only covered the body so had to raid my stash for some poly lining fabric in cream for the sleeves.

I made up a second version of the cardigan from the two fabrics, again with my overlocker, and then machine tacked it to the outer shell.

I made a small pleat in the lining at the back and then overlocked the two layers together onto the neckband and cuffs.

To neaten the inside I then topstitched the neckband joining the overlocked hem to the lining.

The two layers makes this cardigan so warm and cosy to wear.

I would definitely recommend this pattern and I get lots of compliments on my finished cardigan. It’s a simple make for a beginner and it’s free…..and it has pockets!!

I had a bit of a sort out of my fabric stash this morning; removing small pieces of fabric remnants from previous projects and deciding what patterns to pair with fabric.

I think I need to accept I am a fabric hoarder. If I have a piece left over I think I could use to make a top or shorts for my kids then it goes back in my stash pile, but then I end up buying new fabric for a project!

I have now sorted out 11 sewing plans (all from my stash!!).

Here goes:

1.

I picked up a free copy of the elisalex pattern from By Hand London from my love sewing magazine a few months ago. I bought this stretch cotton from fabricland a very long time ago for a pair of trousers but when I made a toile I didn’t like the design so it has sat in my stash. You can read about this dress here.

2.

My daughter agreed I could make her an outfit and selected this tween pattern from new look and wants view b. The fabric is black with mint green spots and is a viscose polyester so should be okay if the sun comes back again!

3.

This is part of the sew my style line up and due to be sewn for July. I have tried a few Megan Nielsen patterns now so confident that this will fit well. I didn’t want another chambray dress so I am going to see if I can fit the pattern on to this Tula pink fabric (originally destined to be a Collette ginger skirt). Again, I’ll omit the sleeves as prefer sleeveless in the summer.

4.

This was another free pattern from itch to stitch released on Mother’s Day in the US. I’m going to try it out on my stash jersey and might make a few of these for the summer if it works out.

5.

I made one pair of these flint trousers on chambray but keen to make a button up pair on black crepe for a smarter look.

6.

This was from last summers list!! I won this pattern in last years indie pattern month on the monthly stitch but never got round to making it. I think this might be more of an autumn make…..

7.

This is jersey from the girl charlee sale at Easter time. I’ve made a couple of briar tops now but fancy another brighter shirt in my wardrobe.

8.

This will be my third attempt at this pattern. My first was in black rib which came out okay but a bit too much stretch. My second one was in pink jersey but not enough stretch so I had to alter into a tshirt!

9.

This is another pattern that has sat in my stash for a year. I have made a couple of jackets recently and they are not as difficult as I think so need to get on with this.

10.

This is the August pattern for sew my style and I failed to use my imagination and found fabric like the photo!!

I also have a few other patterns waiting such as the paper cut bowline sweater, French navy orla dress and chalk and notch farah top!!

And it’s done!! A whole month of me Made outfits, some days I actually managed to wear totally handmade which was really surprising.

What this month has shown me is that I have lots of work clothes and basics like tshirts (which is why the challenge was not as hard as I thought) but really need to focus on more difficult makes such as jeans and dedicate more time to the process!

I also realised I have no where enough summer makes!! The sun came out in Britain last week for a few days, reaching 30 degrees and I was starting to struggle to find me Made outfits. I have a few Cami tops, a play suit (but no good for work!!) and one maxi dress. I need to get on with some shorts for the next bit of sunshine…. you never know when it’s coming or for how long in this country!!

This is my notch collar jacket pattern from simple sew, free with love sewing magazine a while ago .

I bought this fab cream scuba with peach lace overlay in fabricland a few months ago with notion to sew a named saunio cardigan with it. However, once i made one saunio top I figured this would be too thick so it relinquished in my fabric stash.

Then I came across this pattern and thought it might work:

It should have pockets on the front but it felt too busy so I left them off. I still need to bind the seams inside with bias tape as for some reason they itch me like crazy.

The scuba is warm and comfortable but where the seams have been cut and overlocked, either the lace or scuba has become itchy.

I really like this jacket and regularly get compliments on it at work (and a request for a commission!!)

Close up of the amazing fabric, fabricland can be such a treasure trove and still only £5 a metre!!

I bought the sew over it Ella blouse from the PDF club last month but didn’t get round to make it until this week.

I popped to my local fabric land to get some fabric for a few other projects ( flint trousers and another Nettie bodysuit) and got distracted by some pineapple viscose fabric that I thought would look great as an ella blouse.

It’s pretty high waisted so can only be worn with high waisted trousers or skirts but that works for me. I wore this today with my sew house seven Alberta street skirt.

The pattern is really well drafted and clever how it finishes the inside so neatly. I’m not sure on the fit on the arms though, they are cut in one piece but that restricts movement when you reach forward.

I’ll definitely wear this wrap top in the summer as a sun protection. I did wear it to work today and no one commented…. probably thinking I was crazy in my pineapple shirt!!!

I love this jacket so much!! I bought this pattern when the monthly stitch had a challenge for sewing something that was released a long time ago and I hadn’t made yet. I ended up entering the grainline moss skirt as that was another pattern I missed the boat on a few years ago.
Grainline patterns are so well drafted and have such great details and the Morris does not disappoint.

I made this in a grey stretch fabric from Minerva fabric in their sale. It’s boucle effect on the outside and black smooth jersey on the inside and works so well for a jacket.
I put off sewing this for a couple of weeks thinking I should make a toile before cutting into my lovely fabric, but for those of you who follow me will know…..I never toile anything. Not even my wool duffle coat!!
When I finally got on with this, it was made in about 3-4 hours and was a perfect fit.

I think I need some more white tops to go underneath or maybe a black t shirt (I don’t own a lot of black clothes and certainly no black tops!).

I am determined to be more dedicated to me made May this year and take photos every day, and post once a week with the full weeks outfits.
I am hoping this will help direct me to see my style and figure out the gaps in my wardrobe. Already after one week I can see a huge gap with trousers in my handmade wardrobe. I have a few pairs of ultimate trousers but I am not happy with the fit on one and the fabric choice on another. I have found a lot of lovely looking patterns on the foldline.
Do you have a favourite trousers pattern to recommend?

Well that’s one week down…..I own a lot of jeans from next which is probably why I am not driven to make my own as I am happy with the fit from all three pairs.
I need more white tops and more vest tops in neutral colours, and I need more trousers…..tatb marigold trousers almost finished as I type.

The Saunio cardigan is the second offering in the sew my style capsule wardrobe challenge.
I bought some fabric for this design back in January but didn’t get round to looking at this pattern until this week. I actually bought some scuba with peach lace overlay to make this cardigan but then looked at my original fabric and decided to try it with that first.

I am so pleased with this design and the fabric is super soft to the touch and much nicer than I remember.
The sewing was completed in about 1 1/2 hours, the paper pattern on the other hand took me a head scratching 1 1/2 hours on its own!!!

This was a pdf pattern which meant that it did have the seam allowance included (1cm instead of 1.5cm) but to save paper on the printer they overlap all the pieces. Once you stick it together you then still have to trace each piece and cut out again!! Grrrr! And some of the overlaps made it a challenge for my head to trace after a long day at work and trying to get kids into bed!!

Any who, once I got going this was a dream to sew up. Just look at that pattern matching on the side and arm (if you can even spot them!)

I interfaced the facing and stitched it from the outside on the furthest edge to stop it flapping open and looks really tidy from the outside.
I will definitely make another one of these but not sure my scuba will work so need to think of another pattern to use that on.
I made this in size small which is great for this light knit fabric but would go up a size in anything thicker. This is meant to be oversized and it’s not on this version but I am happy with that as looks smarter for work.

2. Underwear
I have bought very little RTW items this week but underwear escaped this rule. I have found a few bra designs I like the idea of and have the advantage of not being very busty.

3. Jeans
I have been watching more and more of the blogging community whipping up jeans and I’ve yet to be brave enough to take he plunge. I like the idea of ginger jeans but also the jeans that come in the sew over it e book.

4. Selfless shirt
This is double edged; firstly considering a project that won’t be quick and needs to be executed week for the recipient to consider wearing it; and secondly the recipient not being me…..I can do this!!

5. Trendier kids clothes
Our 10 year old daughter went to a disco the other day and really struggled to find something to wear. She likes to be different and didn’t want to wear black like all her friends but then everything else was leggings and t shirts! I need to search for more Indi girl’s patterns that keeps her my little girl but trendy for her mates. Plus find some nicer boys patterns.